Post by: jbeaumont21 on December 13, 2010, 10:05:39 PM
According to last years harvest reports (however inaccurate they are) shows the following stats:
White River had 30 bulls harvested and 11 were 6+pt
Loo-wit 17 bulls harvested and 4 were 6+pt.
Margaret had 25 bulls harvested and 5 were 6+pt.
Lastly here are the stats for the number of applicants and the number or permits for both Quality Elk Hunt and Bull Elk Hunt:
Quality Elk Hunt
White River
Modern Firearm 243 Applicants 1 Permit
Archery 337 Applicants 13 Permits
Muzzleloader 0 and 0
Total of 580 Applicants 14 Permits
Loo-wit
Modern Firearm 955 Applicants 5 Permits
Archery 1,340 Applicants 5 Permits
ML 693 Applicants 5 Permits
Total 2,988 Applicants 15 Permits
Margaret
Modern Firearm 6,165 Applicants 20 Permits
Archery 2,412 Applicants 8 Permits
ML 1,014 Applicants 5 Permits
Total 9,591 Applicants 33 Permits
Bull Elk Hunt
White River
Modern 447 Applicants 30 Permits
Archery 0 and 0
ML 204 Applicants 4 Permits
Total 651 Applicants 34 Permits
Loo-wit
Mod 194 Applicants 3 Permits
Archery 216 Applicants 2 Permits
ML 105 Applicants 3 Permits
Margaret 0 Applicants 0 Permits
Post by: chester on December 13, 2010, 10:12:52 PM
Post by: Bob33 on December 13, 2010, 10:22:30 PM
Loowit: 17 harvested from 8 permits?
Margaret: 25 harvested from 20 permits?
I thought Loo-wit was closed entirely for elk, anyway.
Post by: jbeaumont21 on December 13, 2010, 10:31:36 PM
Post by: ASHQUACK on December 14, 2010, 01:51:41 AM
Something doesn't look right with those numbers:
Loowit: 17 harvested from 8 permits?
Margaret: 25 harvested from 20 permits?
I thought Loo-wit was closed entirely for elk, anyway.
I just figured the tribes take in the numbers. Nothing suspicious there.
Post by: billythekidrock on December 14, 2010, 05:23:11 AM
Post by: WDFW Hates ME!!! on December 14, 2010, 06:12:39 AM
But if i had to choose and just my opinion (i have never been able to hunt any of those units), i would say white river. You can get as far back in as you want to go. From what i have seen if you work for a big bull you will have an opportunity at one.
Post by: Bob33 on December 14, 2010, 07:56:52 AM
Post by: jbeaumont21 on December 14, 2010, 11:32:14 AM
The only hunts that I can see that are from the Loo-wit GMU are Mudflow and Pumice Plains permits. They could be great hunts.
There are also the Mount Whittier 5065 and Upper Smith Creek 5064 sections of the Loo-wit unit. I don't know much about any of the areas in the Loo-wit though.
Post by: Houndhunter on December 14, 2010, 11:44:43 AM
Post by: Bob33 on December 14, 2010, 11:45:33 AM
The only hunts that I can see that are from the Loo-wit GMU are Mudflow and Pumice Plains permits. They could be great hunts.
There are also the Mount Whittier 5065 and Upper Smith Creek 5064 sections of the Loo-wit unit. I don't know much about any of the areas in the Loo-wit though.
OK thanks. As OP you now know there is no "Loo-Wit" permit. There are multiple permits within Loo-Wit that can be applied for. You will need to look at each hunt separately to determine whether or not they are worth applying for. The aggregate numbers for Loo-Wit may be misleading or meaningless.
Post by: trophyhunt on December 14, 2010, 11:46:34 AM
Post by: Skyvalhunter on December 14, 2010, 11:53:17 AM
Post by: jbeaumont21 on December 14, 2010, 12:07:28 PM
The only hunts that I can see that are from the Loo-wit GMU are Mudflow and Pumice Plains permits. They could be great hunts.
There are also the Mount Whittier 5065 and Upper Smith Creek 5064 sections of the Loo-wit unit. I don't know much about any of the areas in the Loo-wit though.
OK thanks. As OP you now know there is no "Loo-Wit" permit. There are multiple permits within Loo-Wit that can be applied for. You will need to look at each hunt separately to determine whether or not they are worth applying for. The aggregate numbers for Loo-Wit may be misleading or meaningless.
You're right. It's not really comparing apples to apples when comparing the harvest numbers of Loo-wit to the multiple permits within the Loo-wit. I guess I am just trying to make sense of a very confusing system.
Post by: jbeaumont21 on December 14, 2010, 12:09:57 PM
there is no good big bull archery tag for the west side imo, they may be a guaranteed bull but it wont be much bigger than a good rag horn. i have a better chance at getting a monster in the general season than any of the special permits, again im talking about west side archery
So would you say it is not worth putting in for a special permit on the west side? :dunno:
Post by: Bob33 on December 14, 2010, 12:11:40 PM
http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/harvest/2009/reports/elk_hunt_name.php (http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/harvest/2009/reports/elk_hunt_name.php)
Post by: Houndhunter on December 14, 2010, 12:24:57 PM
there is no good big bull archery tag for the west side imo, they may be a guaranteed bull but it wont be much bigger than a good rag horn. i have a better chance at getting a monster in the general season than any of the special permits, again im talking about west side archery
So would you say it is not worth putting in for a special permit on the west side? :dunno:
i would say put in, but once you get some decent points built up i would not apply for the west anymore. but thats if you go archery, modern still has some really good permits
Post by: Bob33 on December 14, 2010, 12:36:35 PM
Post by: jbeaumont21 on December 14, 2010, 01:42:05 PM
Post by: trophyhunt on December 14, 2010, 01:57:36 PM
Post by: Ddog73 on December 14, 2010, 02:30:26 PM
Post by: chester on December 14, 2010, 02:32:40 PM
We don't want to mention the better one's, we like the focus being on what the options are. :chuckle:
:yeah: which of these areas have you been to and scouted?[
Post by: Houndhunter on December 14, 2010, 02:37:23 PM
We don't want to mention the better one's, we like the focus being on what the options are. :chuckle:
:yeah:, nothing personal though just alot of people on this site ;)
Post by: MLBowhunting on December 14, 2010, 02:50:28 PM
Post by: jbeaumont21 on December 14, 2010, 04:03:49 PM
Post by: chester on December 14, 2010, 04:32:14 PM
Post by: jbeaumont21 on December 14, 2010, 04:40:03 PM
How much scouting do they get to do on the east side where they can't even get into a unit until they are hunting??
Post by: Bob33 on December 14, 2010, 04:42:30 PM
I am not familiar with the Green River Unit either. There was only 3 antlered bulls that were reported from that GMU last year and only 1 was a 6x6+.In 2008 (2009 Harvest report) there were three bull permits issued for the Green River GMU, so I'd say a harvest of three isn't too bad.
Post by: chester on December 14, 2010, 04:48:01 PM
I do a lot of scouting in the two units that I hunt during the general ML season, but it doesn't seem to help me shoot a big 6x6. I have taken a few bulls over the years and I have only seen a couple that were 6x6 or better.
How much scouting do they get to do on the east side where they can't even get into a unit until they are hunting??
probably not much. but they cant hunt those bulls anyway. on the westside anything bigger then a spike has been chased to death. Have you found any 6x6 or bigger when out scouting? they are hard to come by most bulls one this side dont live long enough to get that big. In my experience if you find one. stay on it till general season. DO NOT POST PICS, DO NOT BREATH A WORD TO ANYONE. Family included. there should only be two ways anyone knows about it. A. they found it themselves B. they see it in the back of your truck. they are around. Ive f'd up a couple chances in general season on them. i had a partner hit one in the leg. why i didnt take a shot i have no idea. biggest regret elk hunting i have. was just watching thru the binos after i heard the bullet hit.
Post by: MooseStock on December 14, 2010, 05:15:27 PM
Post by: MLhunter1 on December 14, 2010, 06:52:07 PM
Post by: jbeaumont21 on December 14, 2010, 07:12:47 PM
Good point Bob33. I didn't think to look at that. Score a vote for the Green River.I am not familiar with the Green River Unit either. There was only 3 antlered bulls that were reported from that GMU last year and only 1 was a 6x6+.In 2008 (2009 Harvest report) there were three bull permits issued for the Green River GMU, so I'd say a harvest of three isn't too bad.
Post by: jbeaumont21 on December 14, 2010, 07:16:26 PM
I do a lot of scouting in the two units that I hunt during the general ML season, but it doesn't seem to help me shoot a big 6x6. I have taken a few bulls over the years and I have only seen a couple that were 6x6 or better.
How much scouting do they get to do on the east side where they can't even get into a unit until they are hunting??
probably not much. but they cant hunt those bulls anyway. on the westside anything bigger then a spike has been chased to death. Have you found any 6x6 or bigger when out scouting? they are hard to come by most bulls one this side dont live long enough to get that big. In my experience if you find one. stay on it till general season. DO NOT POST PICS, DO NOT BREATH A WORD TO ANYONE. Family included. there should only be two ways anyone knows about it. A. they found it themselves B. they see it in the back of your truck. they are around. Ive f'd up a couple chances in general season on them. i had a partner hit one in the leg. why i didnt take a shot i have no idea. biggest regret elk hunting i have. was just watching thru the binos after i heard the bullet hit.
I know what you mean Chester. I saw a huge bull last week during my late ML hunt. I screwed that one up bad but I know where he hangs out so maybe I can find him next year. I posted a story about it last week if you want to read the thread. http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,63530.0.html (http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,63530.0.html)
Post by: jbeaumont21 on December 14, 2010, 07:19:29 PM
Just so you know....your numbers aren't actually right and may be misleading. The White River unit (Modern) had 447 applicants in 2009 as you list but that was for 48 permits which were pretty good odds at that time. In 2010 they dropped the modern to 30 permits and there were actually 1010 putting in for those permits so you can see the odds are actually way worse then you list by about triple. It may be that way for all of the hunts you list but I am not sure of those. I would suspect next year there may be even more applicants because of all the "press" on here of the unit. I am surprised nobody has listed the Nooksack....you always hear of the supersize rack genepool for a trophy hunt although I have no knowledge of the area and I think the native americans pretty much have there way there as they do here in the White River unit. Hope that helps your perspective..............Les
Thanks for the clarification Les! I think the same could be said about every unit. Lots of people apllying with few permits and not many trophies. I have not really looked into the Nooksack mostly just because it is further away from home here in Vancouver. Although I am not against driving as far as it takes to get that much closer to harvesting a trophy.
Post by: jbeaumont21 on December 14, 2010, 07:23:36 PM
Eastside units have the best chance at that 6x6. I wish I could put in for eastside draws and still hunt the westside if I didn't get drawn. Peaches ridge would be at the top of my list but since it doesn't work that way draw a mudflow tag and with a little homework you would be a happy camper.
I agree. It would be nice to put in for the east side without having to hunt for spikes during the reg season or purchase a multi-season tag. I am leaning towards the mudflow just because of its proximity to home and how can you go wrong with Mt St Helens?? I have seen tons of huge bulls right next to the road every time I drive up to those scenic monuments.
Post by: lokidog on December 14, 2010, 07:34:42 PM
I hunted the Margaret in 2001, haven't really looked at it since. Lots of 3 to 5's only saw two bigger in four days of hunting (archery). Too many bulls to cows IMHO for a great call em in hunt. Every raghorn had a few cows with him. I settled for a 5X on the fourth day, the 13th legal bull I was less than 100 yards from that day after blowing a setup on the only bull that responded actively to calling, a 6X.
Post by: BENCHLEG on December 14, 2010, 07:53:26 PM
Post by: jbeaumont21 on December 14, 2010, 08:01:41 PM
Jbeau, I'll tell you my pick for draw hunts and I won't even apply to compete with you... if you tell me, with gps where you were ML hunting this year. :chuckle:
I hunted the Margaret in 2001, haven't really looked at it since. Lots of 3 to 5's only saw two bigger in four days of hunting (archery). Too many bulls to cows IMHO for a great call em in hunt. Every raghorn had a few cows with him. I settled for a 5X on the fourth day, the 13th legal bull I was less than 100 yards from that day after blowing a setup on the only bull that responded actively to calling, a 6X.
Ha! Yeah right... PM on the way LOL. At least you saw a couple quality bulls I guess. You would think that the Margaret and Loo-wit would be full of BIG BULLS since it is all protected and permit only hunting. Whats up with that?? How can those units have such low hunting pressure and not grow huge monster bulls??
Post by: chester on December 14, 2010, 08:14:17 PM
lol..moosestock. didnt know that name was so common
Les
Post by: WDFW Hates ME!!! on December 14, 2010, 09:09:45 PM
Genetics... It all boils down to genetics.
Post by: jbeaumont21 on December 14, 2010, 09:12:56 PM
Post by: Bigshooter on December 15, 2010, 09:32:17 PM
Post by: jbeaumont21 on December 16, 2010, 08:43:46 AM
I voted other. I would not apply and don't apply for any of those. If you want a nice 6x6 your going to have to beat the odds. Either in one of those units by getting lucky or on some of the tuffer to draw units with better quality.
Which units on the West side would you say have better quality??
Post by: Bigshooter on December 16, 2010, 08:22:22 PM
I voted other. I would not apply and don't apply for any of those. If you want a nice 6x6 your going to have to beat the odds. Either in one of those units by getting lucky or on some of the tuffer to draw units with better quality.
Which units on the West side would you say have better quality??
I'm not going to say on here.
Post by: Skyvalhunter on December 16, 2010, 08:29:16 PM
Post by: throttlejocky20 on December 16, 2010, 08:49:42 PM
there is no good big bull archery tag for the west side imo, they may be a guaranteed bull but it wont be much bigger than a good rag horn. i have a better chance at getting a monster in the general season than any of the special permits, again im talking about west side archery
So would you say it is not worth putting in for a special permit on the west side? :dunno:
i would say put in, but once you get some decent points built up i would not apply for the west anymore. but thats if you go archery, modern still has some really good permits
I do agree the east side has alot of big bulls. This year I had a cow tag in a permit unit and by the time I tagged out I had 9 bulls in bow range 4 of which were 6x6 and 2 of them were every bit of 300. Would this have happened if I had a bull tag who knows. I do know after this year thats the only tag I will be putting in for, I will wait as long as it takes.
Post by: Practical Approach on December 17, 2010, 08:18:37 AM
jbeau, i hunt the same general area you do for late ML.And quality of feed and the amount and types of minerals in the soil that promote antler growth.
Genetics... It all boils down to genetics.
Post by: jbeaumont21 on December 17, 2010, 08:57:02 AM
White River 10 (15.9%)
Loo-wit 9 (14.3%)
Margaret 13 (20.6%)
Other 23 (36.5%)
Nooksack 8 (12.7%)
Total Voters: 63
Post by: Mike450r on December 17, 2010, 09:24:55 AM
Post by: throttlejocky20 on December 18, 2010, 09:24:57 AM
I know it may not be the special permit you are referring to but buying a Hancock Kapowsin permit gets you a small chance to be eligible to hunt some of the some of the best bulls on the west side. Crappy odds but then again what isn't? I voted other for that reason, not the greatest chance to get drawn but has to be one of the best chances if drawn to get a 6x6 bull.I completly agree. If you happen to draw this tag you are in for the best elk hunting on the west side. Some of the biggest bulls I have ever seen have been in there. I call nice bulls in every year with my 2 year old son, he loves it. The odds are not very good they sell 1200 family permits and only 6 people a year get to chase these monsters. There is no way I would shoot a bull less than 300 unless it was the last day.
Post by: jbeaumont21 on December 18, 2010, 11:44:36 AM
Thanks in advance for any info!
Post by: chester on December 18, 2010, 11:58:40 AM
Post by: jbeaumont21 on December 18, 2010, 01:10:24 PM
Post by: Alan K on December 18, 2010, 01:14:39 PM